Bernard Oriola

Interactivity Improves Usability of Geographic Maps for Visually Impaired People

Tactile relief maps are used by visually impaired people to acquire mental representation of space, but they retain important limitations (limited amount of information, braille text, etc.). Interactive maps may overcome these limitations. However, usability of these two types of maps has never been compared. It is then unknown whether interactive maps are equivalent or even better solutions than traditional raised-line maps. This study presents a comparison of usability of a classical raised-line map versus an interactive map composed of a multitouch screen, a raised-line overlay, and audio output. Both maps were tested by 24 blind participants. We measured usability as efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. Our results show that replacing braille with simple audio-tactile interaction significantly improved efficiency and user satisfaction. Effectiveness was not related to the map type but depended on users’ characteristics as well as the category of assessed spatial knowledge. Long-term evaluation of acquired spatial information revealed that maps, whether interactive or not, are useful to build robust survey-type mental representations in blind users. Altogether, these results are encouraging as they show that interactive maps are a good solution for improving map exploration and cognitive mapping in visually impaired people.

Usage of multimodal maps for blind people: why and how

Multimodal interactive maps are a solution for providing the blind with access to geographic information. Current projects use a tactile map set down on a monotouch display with additional sound output. In our current project we investigated the usage of multitouch displays for this purpose. In this paper, we outline our requirements concerning the appropriate multitouch tactile device and we present a first prototype. We conclude with future working propositions.

NAVIG: Guidance system for the visually impaired using virtual augmented reality

Finding ones way to an unknown destination, navigating complex routes, finding inanimate objects; these are all tasks that can be challenging for the visually impaired. The project NAVIG (Navigation Assisted by artificial VIsion and GNSS) is directed towards increasing the autonomy of visually impaired users in known and unknown environments, exterior and interior, large scale and small scale, through a combination of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and rapid visual recognition with which the precise position of the user can be determined. Relying on geographical databases and visually identified objects, the user is guided to his or her desired destination through spatialized semantic audio rendering, always maintained in the head-centered reference frame. This paper presents the overall project design and architecture of the NAVIG system. In addition, details of the new type of detection and localization device are presented in relation to guidance directives developed through participative design with potential users and educators for the visually impaired. A fundamental concept in this project is the belief that this type of assistive device is able to solve one of the major problems faced by the visually impaired: their difficulty in localizing specific objects.

Design and user satisfaction of interactive maps for visually impaired people

Multimodal interactive maps are a solution for presenting spatial information to visually impaired people. In this paper, we present an interactive multimodal map prototype that is based on a tactile paper map, a multi-touch screen and audio output. We first describe the different steps for designing an interactive map: drawing and printing the tactile paper map, choice of multi-touch technology, interaction technologies and the software architecture. Then we describe the method used to assess user satisfaction. We provide data showing that an interactive map --- although based on a unique, elementary, double tap interaction --- has been met with a high level of user satisfaction. Interestingly, satisfaction is independent of a users age, previous visual experience or Braille experience. This prototype will be used as a platform to design advanced interactions for spatial learning.

Designing an assistive device for the blind based on object localization and augmented auditory reality

There are many electronic devices for the visually impaired but few actually get used on a daily basis. This is due in part to the fact that many devices often fail to address the real needs of the users. In this study, we begin with a review of the existing literature followed by a survey of 54 blind people which suggests that one particular function could be particularly useful in a new device, namely, the ability to localize objects. We have tested the possibility of using a sound rendering system to indicate a particular spatial location, and propose to couple this with a biologically inspired image processing system that can locate visual patterns that correspond to particular objects and places. We believe that such a system can address one of the major problems faced by the visually handicapped, namely their difficulty in localizing specific objects.

Towards a geographic information system facilitating navigation of visually impaired users

In this paper, we propose some adaptation to Geographical Infor-mation System (GIS) components used in GPS based navigation system. In our design process, we adopted a user-centered design approach in collaboration with final users and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) instructors. A database scheme is presented to integrate the principal classes proposed by users and O&M instructors. In addition, some analytical tools are also implemented and integrated in the GIS. This adapted GIS can improve the guidance process of existing and future EOAs. A first implementation of an adapted guidance process allowing a better representation of the surroundings is provided as an illustration of this adapted GIS. This work is part of the NAVIG system (Navigation Assisted by Artificial VIsion and GNSS), an assistive device, whose aim is to improve the Quality of Life of Visually Impaired (VI) persons via increased orientation and mobility capabilities.

Méthodes et outils de conception participative avec des utilisateurs non-voyants

Participatory Design is a process for the design of interactive systems integrating the user in all design phases. However it is based on the assumption that users are in possess of their full physical capabilities, in particular the visual sense, and thus is for the most part not adapted for working with visually impaired people. In this article we present an approach for using participatory design when working with blind people. We start with an analysis of the existing methods, in which we discuss their limits concerning accessibility for the blind, and the peculiarities of blind users. Afterwards we present how we have adapted the classical design methods during our design process and we show the results of our project. We conclude with some recommendations and future working propositions.

Making Gestural Interaction Accessible to Visually Impaired People

As touch screens become widely spread, making them more accessible to visually impaired people is an important task. Touch displays possess a poor accessibility for visually impaired people. One possibility to make them more accessible without sight is through gestural interaction. Yet, there are still few studies on using gestural interaction for visually impaired people. In this paper we present a comprehensive summary of existing projects investigating accessible gestural interaction. We also highlight the limits of current approaches and propose future working directions. Then, we present the design of an interactive map prototype that includes both a raised-line map overlay and gestural interaction for accessing different types of information (e.g., opening hours, distances). Preliminary results of our project show that basic gestural interaction techniques can be successfully used in interactive maps for visually impaired people.

Accessibility for the blind: An automated audio/tactile description of pictures in digital documents

In this paper we present our work in the field of accessibility to visual information in digital documents for the blind people. Our method consists in detecting the significant visual information in a picture/document, extracting their properties and rearrange them for the specified accessible output. Our approach relies on the efforts made in the field of digital documents accessibility along with image processing and content-based image retrieval. Our system provides then two possibilities of outputs: tactile/oral or a combination of the two.

Designing a Virtual Environment Framework for Improving Guidance for the Visually Impaired

Electronic Orientation Aids are dedicated to orientation assistance for the visually impaired. They are made of at least 3 essential components: 1) A positioning system (e.g. GPS); 2) A Geographical Information System (GIS) that includes both a digitised map and a software designed to select routes, track the traveller’s path, and provide him with navigation information; 3) A User Interface (UI) that relies on nonvisual (usually auditory or tactile) interaction